Ulaanbaatar
President Kh.Battulga: We hope to bolster ties with the Russian Federation
Politics
A month after the victory in the election and assuming office as the head of state, the fifth President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga conversed with Aleksei Selishev, a reporter of TASS Agency of Russia. This is the first-ever interview of Khaltmaagiin Battulga with foreign media as the President of Mongolia. The head of state talked about the country's development plans and promising areas for strengthening cooperation with Russia.
- Mongolia is taking important steps towards close integration with the international community, striving to play a more active role in Asia. How do you assess this movement of the country and what, in your opinion, still needs to be done by Mongolia in this direction?
- A little more than a month has passed since the presidential election of Mongolia. I have many ideas and plans for the country's foreign policy. Geographically, Mongolia is in Asia. Therefore, we have established diplomatic relations with all Asian countries. A special feature of Mongolia is that it is located between two great countries, Russia and China.
With the People’s Republic of China, we have a comprehensive strategic partnership, and with Japan and India, strategic relationship. We are also developing a comprehensive partnership with the Republic of Korea.
The peculiarity of Mongolia lies in the fact that through Russia we border with the EU countries, and through China - with the countries of Asia. In view of this, I plan to make a visit to Russia and China as my first destianations, to implement concrete steps to develop economic cooperation. The main topics of cooperation are the regulation of customs tariffs, implementation of large-scale reforms.
We also plan to use the natural resources of our country, increase the degree of processing using the latest technologies and innovations. Since my inauguration, 35 days have passed. After a while, I think, concrete results will be achieved and my plans, realized.
- Everyone has inevitable concerns about the future of one’s own country. How do you imagine Mongolia in the new decade?
- Any head of state will think about long-term development of his country. The latest presidential election of Mongolia was special. Now our country faces a difficult situation, and the people elected me in the hope that it will be possible to reduce the rate of poverty and unemployment. Prior to my election to the presidency, I served as head of two major ministries, and I have concrete plans for the next four years in the economic sphere that will serve as the initial basis for the country's sustainable development. After that, after the expiry of my term in office, it will be possible to take stock.
- What are your personal priorities as a president and how, in your opinion, will it be possible to combine the necessary reforms for Mongolia with the ancient traditions of the country?
- Any country prepares a development policy based on the traditions and centuries-old customs of its people. Mongols are nomads. Blood of nomads, too, run through my own veins. The peculiarity of Mongolia lies in the fact that we are drafting development programs based on the traditions of nomads. The Mongolians are a people who constantly seek to live independently and can thrive so, as well. Today, many jobs in Mongolia are occupied by foreign laborers and they are playing a big part in the development of our country. But we will change this.
In contrast to the current situation, in the future we will achieve development where people receive fair share from mining, in other words, all receive that share on an equal basis. Over the past 20 years, a small number of individuals have obtained licenses to develop minerals and made profit from them. At the same time, personal incomes of political and business groups have been increasing. As a result, on one hand, there are many poor and unemployed in this country, and on the other, political groups have become wealthy. This topic is one of the key issue for me to tackle.
Another important area for us is the infrastructure. The field should be created by our people and is a priority direction of cooperation in the field of infrastructure with our neighbors - Russia and China. Given the fact that Mongolia has bo access to the seas, we need to work closely with our neighbors.
- Russia and Mongolia are good and close neighbors. What importance do you attach to developing relations with the Russian Federation?
- Our states are friendly neighbors with centuries-old history. We have a rich historical path, and on its great stretch we can see how we supported each other. The latest example was the battle on the Khalkhiin-Gol River, which should not be forgotten. I think it is important for us to remember this.
The development of relations and cooperation between Mongolia and the federal subjects of the Russian Federation, which share a border, play an important role in expanding the interaction between our two countries. Relations and cooperation on the regional level should be raised to new heights. In this regard, we can mention the study of the possibilities for creating free trade zones, the issue related to Lake Baikal: we are working on a project to build a hydropower plant on River Eg. The lack of mutual understanding between our regions can lead to disagreements.
I hope that our relations will develop very intensively, including in the defense sector, since 95% of our military equipment and weapons are of Russian origin.
- What, in your opinion, are the most promising areas for cooperation between Mongolia and Russia?
- As I have already mentioned, the defense sphere is the most prioritized area of cooperation. The Minister of Defense of Mongolia, Mr. Badmaanyambuugiin Bat-Erdene, recently held a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. On my behalf, the President of Mongolia, a message was sent to the Russian minister. Mongolians perceive Sergei Shoigu as a native Tyvan and regard him as a close relative.
Second priority is agriculture. In Soviet times, we used a large number of Soviet-made agricultural machineries. Now its number has decreased, so we need to strengthen cooperation in the field of agriculture. And this is possible, because the climatic conditions of our two countries are similar. We have also been discussing the issue of Mongolian meat exports to Irkutsk for many years, but the solution to this question is somewhat stagnant at this moment.
Another priority area of cooperation is the development of infrastructure and the sphere of transport in general. "Ulaanbaatar Railway" is the only project that stood after the change in joint programs of Russia and Mongolia. We will pay special attention to the expansion of this project with Russia in the proportion of 50 to 50 percent.
In 2016, before the parliamentary elections, Russian share in 49% of Erdenet was sold. It is a very weighty problem. We are trying to ensure that a similar situation does not occur with the Ulaanbaatar Railway.
Still, there is a company called "Mongolrostsvetmet", which has several licenses for mining operations. We need to work to improve the management efficiency of this company, since it now is in a great debt.
- Mongolia is a unique country with outstanding natural landscape. What would you recommend in order to bring more Russian tourists to Mongolia?
- Tourism is a special industry, which requires good management and quality services, as well as proper regulation. Next year we will open a new airport, which will give impetus to the development of the tourism industry, including attraction of Russian tourists. So far, not so many tourists come from Russia to Mongolia - mostly vacationers from the Siberian regions who come to us by bus. Travelers from Moscow and the European part of Russia are mostly going to Turkey or European countries.
Therefore, we exchanged ideas with travel agencies of Buryatia about creation of a tourist ring, in which tourists from Japan and the Republic of Korea will visit the Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia (North China), Mongolia and Buryatia, that is, "three Mongolia". We will also have the opportunity to receive tourists from Moscow and St. Petersburg after the launch of a new airport in the valley of Hushigt. We are also working to improve the service sector.
- You have planned to attend the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF). What tasks have you set for yourself in this forum?
This will be my first official visit abroad. Within its framework, meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of states of Northeast Asia are planned. The program and agenda are now being developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.
- Mongolia is taking important steps towards close integration with the international community, striving to play a more active role in Asia. How do you assess this movement of the country and what, in your opinion, still needs to be done by Mongolia in this direction?
- A little more than a month has passed since the presidential election of Mongolia. I have many ideas and plans for the country's foreign policy. Geographically, Mongolia is in Asia. Therefore, we have established diplomatic relations with all Asian countries. A special feature of Mongolia is that it is located between two great countries, Russia and China.
With the People’s Republic of China, we have a comprehensive strategic partnership, and with Japan and India, strategic relationship. We are also developing a comprehensive partnership with the Republic of Korea.
The peculiarity of Mongolia lies in the fact that through Russia we border with the EU countries, and through China - with the countries of Asia. In view of this, I plan to make a visit to Russia and China as my first destianations, to implement concrete steps to develop economic cooperation. The main topics of cooperation are the regulation of customs tariffs, implementation of large-scale reforms.
We also plan to use the natural resources of our country, increase the degree of processing using the latest technologies and innovations. Since my inauguration, 35 days have passed. After a while, I think, concrete results will be achieved and my plans, realized.
- Everyone has inevitable concerns about the future of one’s own country. How do you imagine Mongolia in the new decade?
- Any head of state will think about long-term development of his country. The latest presidential election of Mongolia was special. Now our country faces a difficult situation, and the people elected me in the hope that it will be possible to reduce the rate of poverty and unemployment. Prior to my election to the presidency, I served as head of two major ministries, and I have concrete plans for the next four years in the economic sphere that will serve as the initial basis for the country's sustainable development. After that, after the expiry of my term in office, it will be possible to take stock.
- What are your personal priorities as a president and how, in your opinion, will it be possible to combine the necessary reforms for Mongolia with the ancient traditions of the country?
- Any country prepares a development policy based on the traditions and centuries-old customs of its people. Mongols are nomads. Blood of nomads, too, run through my own veins. The peculiarity of Mongolia lies in the fact that we are drafting development programs based on the traditions of nomads. The Mongolians are a people who constantly seek to live independently and can thrive so, as well. Today, many jobs in Mongolia are occupied by foreign laborers and they are playing a big part in the development of our country. But we will change this.
In contrast to the current situation, in the future we will achieve development where people receive fair share from mining, in other words, all receive that share on an equal basis. Over the past 20 years, a small number of individuals have obtained licenses to develop minerals and made profit from them. At the same time, personal incomes of political and business groups have been increasing. As a result, on one hand, there are many poor and unemployed in this country, and on the other, political groups have become wealthy. This topic is one of the key issue for me to tackle.
Another important area for us is the infrastructure. The field should be created by our people and is a priority direction of cooperation in the field of infrastructure with our neighbors - Russia and China. Given the fact that Mongolia has bo access to the seas, we need to work closely with our neighbors.
- Russia and Mongolia are good and close neighbors. What importance do you attach to developing relations with the Russian Federation?
- Our states are friendly neighbors with centuries-old history. We have a rich historical path, and on its great stretch we can see how we supported each other. The latest example was the battle on the Khalkhiin-Gol River, which should not be forgotten. I think it is important for us to remember this.
The development of relations and cooperation between Mongolia and the federal subjects of the Russian Federation, which share a border, play an important role in expanding the interaction between our two countries. Relations and cooperation on the regional level should be raised to new heights. In this regard, we can mention the study of the possibilities for creating free trade zones, the issue related to Lake Baikal: we are working on a project to build a hydropower plant on River Eg. The lack of mutual understanding between our regions can lead to disagreements.
I hope that our relations will develop very intensively, including in the defense sector, since 95% of our military equipment and weapons are of Russian origin.
- What, in your opinion, are the most promising areas for cooperation between Mongolia and Russia?
- As I have already mentioned, the defense sphere is the most prioritized area of cooperation. The Minister of Defense of Mongolia, Mr. Badmaanyambuugiin Bat-Erdene, recently held a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. On my behalf, the President of Mongolia, a message was sent to the Russian minister. Mongolians perceive Sergei Shoigu as a native Tyvan and regard him as a close relative.
Second priority is agriculture. In Soviet times, we used a large number of Soviet-made agricultural machineries. Now its number has decreased, so we need to strengthen cooperation in the field of agriculture. And this is possible, because the climatic conditions of our two countries are similar. We have also been discussing the issue of Mongolian meat exports to Irkutsk for many years, but the solution to this question is somewhat stagnant at this moment.
Another priority area of cooperation is the development of infrastructure and the sphere of transport in general. "Ulaanbaatar Railway" is the only project that stood after the change in joint programs of Russia and Mongolia. We will pay special attention to the expansion of this project with Russia in the proportion of 50 to 50 percent.
In 2016, before the parliamentary elections, Russian share in 49% of Erdenet was sold. It is a very weighty problem. We are trying to ensure that a similar situation does not occur with the Ulaanbaatar Railway.
Still, there is a company called "Mongolrostsvetmet", which has several licenses for mining operations. We need to work to improve the management efficiency of this company, since it now is in a great debt.
- Mongolia is a unique country with outstanding natural landscape. What would you recommend in order to bring more Russian tourists to Mongolia?
- Tourism is a special industry, which requires good management and quality services, as well as proper regulation. Next year we will open a new airport, which will give impetus to the development of the tourism industry, including attraction of Russian tourists. So far, not so many tourists come from Russia to Mongolia - mostly vacationers from the Siberian regions who come to us by bus. Travelers from Moscow and the European part of Russia are mostly going to Turkey or European countries.
Therefore, we exchanged ideas with travel agencies of Buryatia about creation of a tourist ring, in which tourists from Japan and the Republic of Korea will visit the Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia (North China), Mongolia and Buryatia, that is, "three Mongolia". We will also have the opportunity to receive tourists from Moscow and St. Petersburg after the launch of a new airport in the valley of Hushigt. We are also working to improve the service sector.
- You have planned to attend the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF). What tasks have you set for yourself in this forum?
This will be my first official visit abroad. Within its framework, meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of states of Northeast Asia are planned. The program and agenda are now being developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.
source: President.mn
